To help you out on that front, we checked out "How
to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less" by speaker and
author Nicholas Boothman. The book highlights a key strategy for
making a trusting connection with your conversation partner
while greeting them.

The best part? The whole process takes just four seconds. Read on
to find out how to become instantly likeable.

Step 1: Be open

Boothman says you'll want to open both your body and your
attitude.

In terms of your
body language, Boothman says you should aim your heart
directly at the person you're meeting. Don't cover your heart
with your hands or your arms. And if you're wearing a jacket,
unbutton it beforehand.

It's equally important to cultivate a positive attitude. While
you're greeting the person, Boothman says you should feel and be
aware of that positivity.

Step 2: Make eye contact

Boothman says you should be the one to initiate
eye contact, and let your eyes reflect your positive
attitude.

If you feel uncomfortable making eye contact, he suggests a
strategy for getting used to it: When you're watching TV, note
the eye color of the people on camera and say the name of the
color in your head. The next day, do the same thing with every
person you meet.

Just make sure to look away at some point —
one recent study found that most people preferred eye contact
that lasted about three seconds. And no one in the study
preferred eye contact that lasted longer than nine seconds.

Step 3: Beam

Boothman advises being the first one to smile. You'll send the
message that you're sincere.

Research also suggests that smiling when you meet someone in
a happy context is a useful way to get them to remember you.

But keep in mind: If you're employing this strategy in a
job interview, consider letting your smile fade
after the initial meet-and-greet.

In one study, researchers asked college students to
role-play job interviews. They found that students who played
candidates for the position of newspaper reporter, manager, and
research assistant were less likely to get the hypothetical job
when they smiled — especially during the middle of the
interviews.

Step 4: Say 'hello'

Whether you say "hi," "hey," or "hello," or use another
salutation, you should sound delighted to be making this
person's acquaintance.

Next, you'll want to extend your hand. Make sure to give a
firm handshake, which generally creates a more positive
impression.

When the person you're meeting gives his or her name, try to
repeat it a few times. For example, you might say, "Sara. Nice to
meet you, Sara!"